VERMILLION, S.D. - On a night when offense met defense, defense won. Led by Sophomore forward Mandy Koupal's career-best 35 points, the South Dakota Coyotes turned back high-scoring South Dakota State, 74-67 in North Central Conference action before 7,431 in attendance at the DakotaDome. Koupal's performance helped South Dakota stop a 21-game losing streak to SDSU, dating back to the 1991 season when the Coyotes won 69-63 at the DakotaDome. The Coyotes, who were holding opponents to 56 points per game, had their defensive shoes on tonight. The SDSU women were averaging 88 points per game but managed to shoot just 36.9 percent from the field (24-65). To match their defensive performance, the Coyotes hit 49.1 percent of their field goals and utilized the outstanding talents of Koupal to win their second NCC game in four starts.

Tonight, Koupal (Wagner, S.D.) hit her first 12 shots of the game and was 13 of 15 from the field on the night. She hit both of her three-point field goals and was seven of 11 from the free throw line. Koupal, who had five steals, grabbed seven rebounds in 44 minutes of action. Koupal's previous career high was 30 points vs. Minnesota State-Mankato on Dec. 8. The sophomore forward tied a school record by hitting her first 12 shots of the game. It tied the mark held by Pam Olerich, who also made 12 shots in a row against North Dakota in February, 1982.

Joining Koupal in double figures was junior forward Heather Nelson (Yankton, S.D.) and junior forward Amanda Iverson (Vermillion, S.D.), who both scored 10 points. Sophomore shooting guard Krista Orsack of Sioux Falls had nine points, all three-pointers. Early on, it was SDSU who gained the advantage in the 60th meeting between the schools. A three-pointer by Shannon Schlagel gave the Jackrabbits a 10-6 lead at the 15:16 mark of the first half. The Coyotes answered with an 18-0 run as the Coyotes puts the defensive clamps on SDSU. A pair of free throws by Julia Frie gave South Dakota a 24-12 lead. A three-pointer by Krista Orsack provided South Dakota with a 27-14 lead at the 6:34 mark. Then, South Dakota got hot again, moving ahead 34-17 at the 4:15 mark after a three-pointer by Frie. The Jackrabbits answered by fighting back with nine straight points. A lay-up by Stacie Cizek at the buzzer cut the USD lead to 34-28 at halftime. Koupal had 11 points to lead the Coyotes in the opening half. She connected on four of four from the field and both of her two three-point baskets. She also had two steals and three rebounds. As a team, USD hit 12 of 23 field goals for 52.2 percent. The Coyotes hit five of 10 three-point shots and five of eight from the free throw line. Brenda Davis and Schlagel, who both had seven points, led SDSU. As a team, SDSU made 10 of 27 field goals for 37 percent. They were three of 11 from the three-point arc and five of 10 from the free throw line. SDSU held the rebound advantage, 16-15 at the half. Right away after the break, the Coyotes again regained a double figure lead, moving ahead 38-28 on a Koupal jumper at the 18:41 mark. A basket by Melissa Pater cut the lead to 40-33 at the 16:33 mark. Once again, the Coyotes built their lead to 46-35 as Koupal scored on a jumper off an assist from Orsack at the 15:05 mark. SDSU came back as Cizek hit a three-pointer at the 10:21 mark and Pater scored inside at the 9:25 and USD's lead was trimmed to 50-45.

A jumper by Pater cut the lead to 52-50 at the 8:09 mark. But the Coyotes responded by outscored SDSU, 7-3 as Koupal scored inside at the 6:16 mark for a 59-53 lead. Again, SDSU fought back, cutting the Coyotes' lead to 63-60 when Brenda Davis hit a three-pointer at the 2:09 mark. After South Dakota failed to convert on the offensive end, SDSU was able to convert as Pater scored on a jumper with :23 seconds left to play. Koupal was immediately fouled but she missed the one-and-one opportunity with SDSU Pater grabbing the missed shot. Brenda Davis scored on a lay-up with seven seconds to play as SDSU gained their first lead, 64-63, since early in the game. Then, SDSU's Shari Johnson fouled Stacey Schooley (Watertown, S.D.) with four seconds to play. Schooley hit one of two free throws to send the game into overtime.

In overtime, it was all South Dakota. Orsack opened the extra period with a three-pointer for a 67-64 lead with 4:47 to play. Then Koupal hit four free throws in a two-minute period as USD led 71-64 with 2:56 left to play. Two free throws by Sarita DeBoer cut the lead to 71-67 but Koupal answered with a jumper at the 1:01 mark and South Dakota had a 73-67 lead and the game. A free throw by Koupal closed the scoring with nine seconds to play.

Overall, South Dakota made 26 of 53 field goals for 49.1 percent. The Coyotes were seven of 19 from the three-point line, with Orsack's three, three-pointers leading USD. The Coyotes were 15 of 22 from the free throw line for 68.2 percent. South Dakota had 14 steals, 22 turnovers, 18 assists and two blocked shots.

SDSU hit 24 of 65 field goals for 36.9 percent. They were nine of 30 from the three-point line for 30 percent. The Jacks, who won the rebound battle, 40-35, hit 10 of 17 free throws for 58.8 percent. Davis led SDSU with 18 points and 10 rebounds. Pater added 15 points and 11 rebounds and Cizek had 12 points.

Next for the Coyotes is the road trip to Nebraska-Omaha and Northern Colorado. The Coyotes will travel to UNO on Feb. 1 and Northern Colorado on Feb. 2. Gametime will be 6 p.m